In the
several days I've been pondering this topic a lot of pleasurable things
occurred.

*A
new source of income emerged

*Several
book reviews of my works were posted to major venues

*Quite
a few more "Yeses" for my book party in two weeks

*A
lovely surprise outing for Mother's Day

*HOT YOGA!!!

All of these
things brought varying degrees of happiness with them. However, in looking deeper into the topic I
realized that any of these things could have gone the other way. What would have happened to my happiness
then? Would it have flown out the
window? Would I have cried? The real key is to have happiness no matter what's happening around you. Easier said than done, right? Wrong.

How does one
maintain a sense of happiness all the time?
Simple. You decide to be happy all the time.
Intention is 9/10th of the battle.
If you awake each day intending to be happy then you tend to draw
positive experiences to yourself. And
drawing positive things to yourself becomes easy once you identify what you
love, or what you have a passion for -- then
do that (or those!) things!

I figured
this out just recently. I am many
decades into my life and seemed not to be able to find happiness anywhere I
looked. There was a big empty hole
inside that was never filled by anything I did or tried. So, after I was sick and tired of being sick and tired I just said, What the hay! and began doing the thing
that I loved the most -- writing.

I have 4
novel length manuscripts in various stages of completion and many many short
stories. So many stories that I lost several over the years! Why wasn't I writing? Who knows?
I didn't feel I deserved. The job
had me working too many hours. The
children needed me. Mercury wasn't lined
up with Mars…pick one! When we want
excuses we have no shortage of them to pick from. They even sound nobelese!

However,
that little voice. That really small
quiet voice which is your true self, your id, your ori, or whatever you want to
call it speaks to you and whisphers the thing(s) you should be doing to make
you HAPPY. Yes, in all caps.

Now that I
have published Leaping Out On Faith (http://www.amazon.com/Leaping-Out-On-Faith-ebook/dp/B007RGBQNA)
and Opening Up (http://www.amazon.com/Opening-Up-ebook/dp/B007XNRD7A)
I am tremendously happy!

For years, I
had been giving away my power and my voice to those who 'would decide' if I
could write, or not. They would tell me when I arrived
(whatever that used to mean to me!). Now
I see that I have to arrive in my own mind, in my own positive beliefs. Once I took ownership back, I could
experience all of the happiness I had on
hold.

Take your
happiness off hold and begin truly living the life you want by first
envisioning it, mapping a path to it and then following that path no
matter what happens! You will meet
resistance; this is jus to see if you really want whatever it is you're going
after. So push through it and watch the
happiness grow day-by-day. One day
you'll be passing a large picture window that's squeaky clean and you'll see a
grinning idiot staring back at you -- it's you!
That smile can't be wiped off by any simple (or not so simple) turn of
fate because you are directing your own happiness.

Remember,
practice makes perfect! So, if every day
at the beginning doesn't feel the way you think it should do more of the things
on your map so you're not thinking about all that other stuff. Get busy getting your dream (and your life)
ON and the happiness will follow!

P.S. - If
you need some help getting your happiness up, check out some of these relaxing
videos that will help you get quiet and set your intentions on the dreams and
goals you're seeking to achieve.

As a counselor, it is to empower you to access your full potential and live more authentically!

As a poet, it is to share words to inspire love, deliverance from hurtful situations and encourage a renewed relationship with God.

As a speaker, it is to provide a dynamic experience which will actively engage you and your group in learning and growing.

My professional background includes over 14 years as a Career Counselor providing education planning and career guidance. I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor in Georgia and National Board Certified Counselor with a Master’s degree in Psychology. My publications include After the Sixth Day: Notes from a Spiritual Journey and Pain is Fertile Ground—poetry collections focused on spiritual awakening and growth.

On a more personal note, the southern lady that I am loves to cook (have you seen my Pinterest board?) and have fun with my family! Are there any two things that bring more joy to a G.R.I.T.S. (Girl raised in the south)? Lol

I hope we stay connected because new ventures are on the way to enlighten your mind and to partner with you to chart a course for your success!